28-Day East Africa Safari – Complete Itinerary with a Professional Tour Guide

Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, enjoy a guided Kigali city tour, visiting selected historical and cultural attractions, including the Kigali Genocide Memorial, depending on your interests and available time. After the city tour, depart for Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda, enjoying beautiful views of the countryside and rolling green hills. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge, relax, enjoy dinner, and overnight near the park.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Iby’Iwacu Cultural Visit

After an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing before beginning your mountain gorilla trekking experience. Accompanied by experienced rangers, trek through the forest in search of a habituated gorilla family and enjoy the permitted time observing these endangered primates in their natural habitat.

Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a guided golden monkey trekking experience. Explore the bamboo forest in search of these lively primates and observe their behaviour in their natural environment. After the trek, return to your lodge and spend the afternoon relaxing or enjoying the surrounding volcanic scenery. Dinner and overnight near Volcanoes National Park.

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Evening Game Drive

After breakfast, depart Rwanda and travel toward Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda, completing the necessary border formalities along the way. Enjoy scenic views of the countryside and western Uganda. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and, time permitting, enjoy an evening game drive in search of elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and other wildlife. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Begin the day with an early morning game drive across the park\'s savannah plains in search of lions, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, and other wildlife. Return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation before enjoying an afternoon boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel. Observe hippos, crocodiles, elephants along the banks, and abundant birdlife. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Katwe Salt Mines Visit and Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, visit the Katwe salt mines near Lake Katwe to learn about traditional salt extraction and the livelihoods of the local community. Enjoy views of the surrounding crater lakes before continuing to Kibale Forest National Park, one of Africa\'s leading destinations for chimpanzee tracking. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and relax. Dinner and overnight near Kibale Forest.

Katwe Salt Mines Visit and Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, visit the Katwe salt mines near Lake Katwe to learn about traditional salt extraction and the livelihoods of the local community. Enjoy views of the surrounding crater lakes before continuing to Kibale Forest National Park, one of Africa\'s leading destinations for chimpanzee tracking. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and relax. Dinner and overnight near Kibale Forest.

Katwe Salt Mines Visit and Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, visit the Katwe salt mines near Lake Katwe to learn about traditional salt extraction and the livelihoods of the local community. Enjoy views of the surrounding crater lakes before continuing to Kibale Forest National Park, one of Africa\'s leading destinations for chimpanzee tracking. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and relax. Dinner and overnight near Kibale Forest.

Katwe Salt Mines Visit and Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, visit the Katwe salt mines near Lake Katwe to learn about traditional salt extraction and the livelihoods of the local community. Enjoy views of the surrounding crater lakes before continuing to Kibale Forest National Park, one of Africa\'s leading destinations for chimpanzee tracking. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and relax. Dinner and overnight near Kibale Forest.

Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetland Walk

After an early breakfast, proceed to Kibale Forest for a guided chimpanzee-tracking experience. Walk through the tropical rainforest with experienced guides in search of chimpanzees and observe their natural behaviour once they are located. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, known for its rich birdlife, monkeys, and community-based conservation initiatives. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, depart Kibale Forest and travel north toward Murchison Falls National Park. Enjoy a scenic journey through Uganda\'s countryside, passing local villages, agricultural landscapes, and rural trading centres. Make suitable stops for refreshments and photographs along the way. Arrive at your lodge, check in, and relax after the journey. Dinner and overnight near Murchison Falls National Park.

Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise in Murchison Falls National Park

Start the day with an early morning game drive across the park\'s northern savannah plains, searching for elephants, giraffes, lions, buffaloes, and antelopes. After the game drive, return for lunch or refreshments before heading out for an afternoon boat cruise along the River Nile toward the base of Murchison Falls.

Hike to the Top of Murchison Falls and Transfer to Jinja

After breakfast, visit the spectacular Murchison Falls and enjoy a guided walk to the top, where the Nile squeezes through a narrow rocky gorge. Take time to appreciate the powerful waterfalls and dramatic scenery before departing for Jinja. Enjoy the journey through the Ugandan countryside and arrive at your hotel later in the day. Dinner and overnight in Jinja.

Horseback Riding and Visit to the Source of the Nile

After breakfast, enjoy a horseback riding experience around the scenic landscapes of Jinja, with the route and duration arranged according to your experience and local availability. Later, visit the Source of the Nile, where the river flows out of Lake Victoria. Enjoy the peaceful surroundings, take photographs, and explore nearby craft shops or riverside cafés. Dinner and overnight in Jinja.

Transfer from Jinja to Lake Nakuru National Park

After an early breakfast, depart Jinja and travel toward Kenya, crossing the Uganda–Kenya border and continuing to Lake Nakuru National Park. This is a long overland journey, so allow sufficient time for driving and immigration formalities. Enjoy the changing scenery as you travel through rural landscapes and the Great Rift Valley region. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and relax. Dinner and overnight near Lake Nakuru.

Morning Game Drive and Flamingo Watching at Lake Nakuru

After breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive through Lake Nakuru National Park, searching for black and white rhinos, Rothschild\'s giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, and other wildlife. Continue to suitable lakeshore viewpoints to observe the birdlife, including flamingos when seasonal and water conditions are favourable. Learn about the park\'s ecosystem and conservation efforts before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Transfer to Nairobi and City Tour

After breakfast, depart Lake Nakuru for Nairobi, Kenya\'s vibrant capital. Upon arrival, enjoy a guided city tour featuring selected attractions according to your interests and available time. Possible visits include the Nairobi National Museum, local craft markets, and other cultural landmarks. Learn about Nairobi\'s history and modern urban life before checking in at your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Nairobi.

Transfer to Maasai Mara National Reserve and Evening Game Drive

After breakfast, depart Nairobi and travel to Maasai Mara National Reserve, enjoying the scenic countryside along the way. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge or tented camp and enjoy lunch, depending on your arrival time. In the afternoon, head out for a game drive across the savannah plains in search of lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, and other wildlife. Return to camp for dinner and overnight.

Morning Game Drive and Maasai Cultural Visit

Begin the day with an early morning game drive in Maasai Mara, exploring the reserve in search of predators and other wildlife. After breakfast, visit a local Maasai community to learn about traditional customs, clothing, homesteads, music, dance, and pastoral livelihoods.

Discover how local communities maintain their cultural heritage while living alongside wildlife. Return to your camp for dinner and overnight.

Full-Day Game Drive in Maasai Mara National Reserve

After an early breakfast, enjoy an additional full day exploring the remarkable wildlife of Maasai Mara. Set out on morning and afternoon game drives in search of lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeest. Your experienced guide will select suitable areas for wildlife viewing based on recent sightings and seasonal movements. Depending on the time of year, you may encounter large herds associated with the Great Migration. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the reserve before continuing your afternoon safari. Return to your lodge or tented camp for dinner and overnight.

Transfer from Masai Mara to Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, depart Maasai Mara and travel toward Serengeti National Park, crossing the Kenya–Tanzania border through the designated crossing arranged for your safari. Complete the immigration formalities and continue toward the Serengeti ecosystem. This is a long transfer requiring careful coordination of transport and park entry arrangements. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy wildlife viewing along the way. Check in at your lodge or tented camp for dinner and overnight in Serengeti.

Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti National Park

After an early breakfast, enjoy a full day exploring Serengeti National Park, famous for its expansive grasslands and remarkable wildlife diversity. Set out on morning and afternoon game drives in search of lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeest.

Your guide will select suitable areas based on wildlife movements and seasonal conditions. Depending on the time of year, you may encounter large herds associated with the Great Migration. Enjoy a picnic lunch during the safari before returning to your lodge or tented camp for dinner and overnight.

Full-Day Game Drive in Serengeti National Park

Spend another full day discovering Serengeti\'s extraordinary wildlife and exploring different sections of the ecosystem. Begin with an early morning game drive when predators may still be active and the light is ideal for photography.NSearch for lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, hyenas, and large herds of plains animals. Depending on the season and location, you may also encounter wildebeest and zebras moving across the savannah. Enjoy a picnic lunch during the safari before continuing with afternoon wildlife viewing. Return to your lodge or tented camp for dinner and overnight.

Morning Game Drive, Olduvai Gorge Museum Visit, and Transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

After breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive in Serengeti, time permitting, before departing toward Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, visit the Olduvai Gorge Museum to learn about archaeological discoveries that have contributed significantly to our understanding of human evolution. Continue through the spectacular landscapes of the Ngorongoro highlands toward your accommodation near the crater rim or in the Karatu area. Check in, enjoy dinner, and overnight.

Full-Day Game Drive in Ngorongoro Crater

Rise early for breakfast before descending into Ngorongoro Crater for a full-day wildlife safari. Explore its grasslands, wetlands, woodland areas, and lakes in search of lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, and other wildlife.

With luck, you may also encounter the endangered black rhino. Enjoy a picnic lunch in a designated area while appreciating the extraordinary scenery of this ancient volcanic caldera. Continue with afternoon game viewing before ascending the crater walls and returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Transfer from Ngorongoro Conservation Area to Arusha

After breakfast, depart your lodge and travel to Arusha through the scenic highlands of northern Tanzania. Enjoy views of cultivated landscapes, rural settlements, and local communities along the way. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and spend the remainder of the day relaxing after your safari. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore nearby shops or restaurants. Dinner and overnight in Arusha.

Arusha City Tour

After breakfast, enjoy a guided city tour of Arusha, an important gateway to Tanzania\'s northern safari circuit. Visit selected local markets, cultural attractions, craft shops, and other points of interest while learning about the city\'s history and daily life. Depending on your interests, you may visit a local coffee outlet, browse Tanzanian handicrafts, or explore areas known for their cultural diversity. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Arusha.

Transfer from Arusha to Dar es Salaam

After an early breakfast, depart Arusha for Dar es Salaam by road. This long-distance transfer may take most of the day, depending on traffic, road conditions, and stops along the way. Enjoy the changing scenery as you travel from northern Tanzania through rural settlements and landscapes toward the coast. Make appropriate stops for refreshments and lunch during the journey. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and relax. Dinner and overnight in Dar es Salaam.

Dar es Salaam City Tour, Kivukoni Fish Market, and Kariakoo Market

After breakfast, enjoy a guided city tour of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania\'s largest city and an important coastal commercial centre. Begin with a visit to Kivukoni Fish Market, where you can observe fishermen, traders, and buyers handling the day\'s catch. Continue to Kariakoo Market, one of the city\'s busiest trading areas, to experience its vibrant atmosphere and explore local produce, spices, fabrics, and household goods.

Transfer from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar

After breakfast, transfer to the ferry terminal or airport for your journey to Zanzibar, according to your preferred transport arrangement. If travelling by ferry, enjoy views of the Indian Ocean during the crossing; if flying, the journey will be considerably shorter. Upon arrival, meet your representative and transfer to your hotel. Spend the afternoon relaxing at the beach or exploring the surrounding area. Dinner and overnight in Zanzibar.

Stone Town Exploration to Zanzibar

Spend the day discovering the rich history, vibrant culture, and beautiful waterfront of Stone Town, the historic heart of Zanzibar. Wander through narrow alleyways, admire intricately carved Zanzibari doors, explore lively markets, and enjoy the island’s unique blend of African, Arab, Indian, and European influences.